Executive Summary Public Policy Statement American Academy of Home Care Physicians, 2005

New studies are now appearing, some practice-based, and some formally funded research. A house call program within a SHMO in Las Vegas, NV produced 62% reduction in hospital days with a sample of 91clients, producing annual savings of $439,825 for acute, skilled, and sub-acute days, and net savings of $261,225. (SL Phillips et. al, "Chronic Home Care: A Health Plan's Experience." Annals of Long Term Care, 12(4), April, 2004). A follow-up study of Moderate Risk (PRA category) patients compared outcomes for 432 members treated by the same geriatric care team with 266 members cared for in standard community-based practices without geriatric specialization. The geriatric team showed savings of $760 per member per year. This extrapolates to $760,000 annually for 1,000 Moderate PRA members. (SL Phillips, et. al., poster P534, American Geriatrics Society 2004 Annual Meeting).

In 2002, a VA Home-Based Primary Care program in an urban area documented 67% reduction in acute hospital days, and 54% reduction in patients hospitalized, plus17% reduction in ED visits. (Jackson, Susan S, et. al, Impact of a Medical House Call Program on Use of Acute Hospital and Emergency Department Services in an Urban VA Medical Center, poster 34121, AGS 2002). (Excerpt from summary).